Disclaimers: Everything belongs to Joss, except for one character of my creation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Look under the bed.” the note said. So, that night after the rest of the crew had gone to sleep, Mal did just that. He let down the stretcher and pried open the wall panel that concealed Alex’s cubby. Inside was her stack of notes, and behind that was a small package. He pulled it out and opened it. The package contained a folded letter and a flowery recipe card Mal recognized as one of Kaylee’s from the galley. Along with the card there was a handful of tea bags and several small white pills. On the card was written:

Alex’s Special Tea

Ingredients: 1 cup water 1 teabag 1 tablet

Boil water, add teabag and steep to desired consistency. Dissolve tablet in tea and drink. Go to bed. Sooner rather than later. It works fast! Wake up rested and refreshed in the morning.

Mal smiled and unfolded the letter. He sat back on the exam table and began to read.

Dear Captain Mal,

Thank you for providing me with transport when no one else would touch the job. I will never forget the time I spent with you and yours on Serenity. It was wonderful to discover my old friend is still flying – and to know that she is in the hands of those who love her.

Speaking of love... don’t chain Kaylee up in the engine room when she nags you...she just loves her captain is all!

The enclosed recipe is for my “special tea” - to be taken only on those nights when you just can’t sleep any other way. (I believe I made it for you once....).

Be well - try to stay out of trouble! And relax sometimes - it suits you!

Most of all, keep flyin’, Captain. And think of me once in awhile. I know I’ll think of you.

Yours,

Alex

Mal folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He put the wall panel back in place and strapped up the stretcher. After shutting off the lights and closing up the infirmary, he headed up to the galley. He boiled the water and brewed the tea, then stood, sipping it slowly, and gazed into the lounge where he had whiled so many restless nights away. He felt his muscles begin to relax and his mind begin to shut down. He turned off the lights and headed down the silent corridor to the crew quarters. He opened the hatch and descended into his bunk. It was time to get some sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jie zhe ...

...in "NOTHIN IN THE 'VERSE: PART II", which will be posted as another serial story. I will most likely begin posting within the week.

THANK YOU to everyone who has read, enjoyed and commented on this story! This is my first piece of fan fiction, and I'm happy that it has received good reviews! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHINESE: Jie zhe = To be continued ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to Chapter 23.